Zhizhi Chanyu

Who is Zhizhi Chanyu?

Zhizhi Chanyu was a Chanyu of the Xiongnu at the time of the first Xiongnu civil war, who held the north and west in contention with his younger brother Huhanye who held the south. His original name in Chinese transcription was Luanti Hutuwusi, i.e. one of the Worthy Princes of the East.

When the 12th Chanyu died in 60 BC power was seized by a distant relative. In 58 BC, Huhanye, a younger son of the 12th Chanyu, revolted and made himself the 14th Chanyu.

In 56 BC Zhizhi, an elder brother of Huhanye, revolted, called himself Chanyu, and drove Huhanye out of the royal domain. As Zhizhi grew more powerful, Huhanye moved south and submitted to the Chinese. Huhanye then used Chinese support to strengthen himself against his elder brother. Zhizhi tried to offer tribute to the Chinese and sent his son as hostage, but the Han dynasty favored Huhanye. Growing weaker, in 49 BC Zhizhi began moving west in the hope of reconstituting his empire. In the same year, Yilimu, a brother of the 13th Chanyu, declared himself Chanyu and was killed by Zhizhi. He successfully fought the Wusun, gained control of the Dingling and made his capital in the lands of the Jiankun who may have been the Yenisei Kirghiz.